Envisioning a Great Good
This was written a week or so ago, shortly after I started my “envisioning practice,” as I’ve taken to calling it. I have continued the practice often - not daily, because, truthfully, I do next to nothing daily, but often enough. Though I do not always write out my thoughts. Sometimes my envisioning is done while I’m biking to my “day job.” Sometimes it is in the shower, sometimes it’s when I’ve sat down in front of a computer or with my journal at a time designated to be a spiritual practice. In those latter times, I will usually write out my vision with the intent of sharing them here. This is one of those:
There are not many cars on the roads; I see almost none parked in the city anymore. Street parking is nearly obsolete except in some of the residential areas. Cars still pass on the interstate, but you can barely hear the traffic anymore. Between the switch to electric vehicles, improvements in tire technologies, and changes to road materials, everything became quieter. After the Great Change, major and minor cities started giving residents bikes or ebikes in order to reduce the number of cars on the road.
Now, the roadways in the city have multiple bike lanes, some roads had the asphalt removed and became open air markets, or promenades, or small parks. More trees were planted where roads had been; street trees that were there thrive now more than they have in decades.
Major venues all have bike valets now, and many of the parking garages - which I used to absolutely loathe - are now multipurpose bike parking, repair shops, and underground markets or galleries. Most of the city’s municipal services use bikes now too; even for things like compost pickup and for what little trash is still created.
Long distance travel changed too. The country finally invested in high speed rail, and as tastes and expectations changed, more people began using buses again both for travel in their local areas and longer trips. Public transit extended in all kinds of ways throughout the country. These changes all saw the revival of the roadside motel!** Some of which have become quite the destination because of their focus on local cuisine or their offers of free lodging when you spend a day working on nearby reforestation efforts or local farms.
The subtle changes in transportation changed much more about our communities, and even our work culture. Blue collar jobs once regarded as “less than” are now integral to communities and individuals. Trips take longer, so leave policies at employers changed. Main streets revitalized, filled with local grocers and general stores. Small towns are hubs of the national community; connected together through federal networks that encourage domestic trade and commerce.
To think, so much benefit all because of a few bikes and electric cars.
**Interestingly, a few days after writing this, I came across an article in the New York Times about how motels are having a renaissance. Perhaps the future is already on its way here.
There are issues with this envisioning practice, I know. There are improbable and impossible things I do and will imagine. There are ways that things I envision could be used for great ills as much as great good.
But what I choose to envision is a Great Good; we can deal with the details when we get there.
